Question of the Week
A Simple Way To Resolve Obstacles
Happy Friday all!
This week, I’ve had some really inspiring conversations with clients about their dreams—the big difficult objectives that they want to fulfill in their lives. Is that financial planning? Sure. At BTF, we start by clarifying your values and what’s most important to you. Then, we use that information dream big and create the life that you want.
It’s not always easy to make your dreams come true. Inevitably, almost everyone has to overcome obstacles that can get in the way. I’ve developed a five-step framework to help clients tackle these obstacles, step by step. Any time an obstacle arises, ask yourself:
· What can I do about it?
· How am I going to do it?
· When am I going to do it?
· Who can keep me accountable?
· How do I feel about it now?
Some obstacles feel insurmountable. Breaking them down into digestible parts helps you find the confidence and energy you need to accomplish your goals.
An example may help here. Say you need $40,000 for a new business venture, and you need it soon. How would you go about resolving this obstacle? I went through this framework with a client, and here’s what we decided:
- What can I do about it? I can find investors to invest in the business.
- How am I going to do it? Reach out to people in my network who are investors or can identify investors.
- When am I going to do it? I’ll text one person today and call two others by the end of the week.
- Who can keep me accountable? My friend who I discuss my business dreams with.
- How do I feel about it now? I’m excited to have a plan and steps I can take.
Getting over obstacles takes energy. It helps to tackle problems one step at a time. This framework helps you identify the steps and find the energy needed to do that.
One other caveat about this: A lot of people tend to think about obstacles even before they dream. They tell themselves they’re putting “realistic” or “rationale” limits on themselves. Really, though, they’re only getting in their own way. Dream first. Then, figure out the steps you need to take to accomplish that dream.
Quote of the Week
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”—Christopher Reeve
Task of the Week
Try this framework out. Think of something you really want to accomplish and write down action steps. See if this process gives you more clarity and energy.